Doha

The Qatari-Mauritanian Social Development Foundation, managed by Education Above All Foundation (EAA), has opened this week the Al Ekhwa School Complex in Boutilimit, Mauritania.
A delegation from EAA, including CEO Marcio Barbosa and deputy CEO Fahad al-Sulaiti, attended the opening of the new facility.The modern, new school complex has been constructed by the Qatari-Mauritanian Social Development Foundation, created by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development, Mauritania and Office of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
Representatives from EAA also signed an agreement under which the Ministry of National Education will manage the complex. The school complex consists of a nine-classroom elementary school and a 36-classroom elementary and high school featuring a laboratory, a library and an IT station. Children who are missing out on an education, will also be enrolled in the new school.
Barbosa, said, “The project aims to have a lasting positive impact on the community and make a significant change to the lives of children. The many initiatives undertaken by the Qatari-Mauritanian Social Development Foundation are determined to take a holistic approach to making a difference to Mauritanian communities, by addressing health, wellbeing and creating opportunities in the workforce."
Abdul Rahman bin Ali al-Ajaj al-Kubaisi, Qatari ambassador to Mauritania, highlighted the importance of this school project, which coincides with Mauritania’s dedicating 2015 as the ‘year of education’. He also praised the foundation for its achievements, which have benefited many poor people in Mauritania.
Boutilimit’s mayor and the head of its elected association expressed the gratitude to EAA for building the complex. He highlighted the role of Hamad Bin Khalifa Hospital for providing generous services for Boutilimit residents and neighbouring areas.
The hospital, opened in February 2007, provides healthcare services to the population of the Boutilimit district and nearby areas. This important facility offers medical treatment free of charge to victims of traffic accidents and dispatches medical convoys to serve hard-to-reach populations in several neighbouring villages.
Five vocational training centres are operated by the Qatari-Mauritanian Social Development Foundation.These provide a two-year certified professional training for 468 students in a variety of subjects including: IT equipment maintenance, secretarial practice, cookery and hospitality, farming, veterinary science, trading and accounting. Since their establishment, these centres have created vocational opportunities for 1,458 people.
The foundation’s literacy programme has almost 6,000 learners, 93% of whom are women. Many of these graduates are also running small enterprises using grants from the Foundation. These students receive additional functional literacy training through the foundation’s vocational training centres in order to help them better manage their businesses. To date, the functional literacy programme has assisted 5,487 people.